Caracas, Jun 29 (V7N) — The death toll from the twin devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to nearly 1,500, while local and international rescue teams continue round-the-clock operations to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
The coastal state of La Guaira, located about 40 kilometers north of the capital, Caracas, remains the worst-affected area and continues to be under a state of disaster. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed, with authorities confirming that 774 structures have completely collapsed.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said rescue efforts would continue without interruption, stressing that there is still hope of finding more survivors beneath the rubble.
"We are not stopping the rescue operation because there is still a possibility of saving lives," she said.
The government has also established a special commission to inspect damaged buildings and determine whether they are safe for habitation. Authorities further announced that all educational institutions in La Guaira will remain closed for another week.
According to official figures, 3,150 people have been injured, while 12,721 residents have been displaced by the disaster.
Rescue workers have so far pulled 33 people alive from the rubble. In one of the latest rescue operations on Sunday, emergency teams successfully rescued a father and his son from beneath a collapsed building, offering renewed hope to families still waiting for news of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, an opposition-backed website claimed that around 50,000 people remain missing, although the figure has not been independently verified.
Rescue efforts continue to be hampered by frequent aftershocks, which have made operations more dangerous and complicated for emergency responders.
END/SMA/AJ
